AFTER THIRTY YEARS, PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY RETURNS TO THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE MAY 17 AND 18

After a 30 year absence, The Auditorium Theatre welcomes back the Paul Taylor Dance Company (PTDC) as they celebrate their Diamond Anniversary Tour. Hailed as part of the pantheon that created American modern dance, Paul Taylor brings three of his American masterworks to the landmark stage May 17 and 18, 2014. “Continuing to win public and critical acclaim for the vibrancy, relevance and power of his creations, the American sprit soars whenever Taylor’s dancers dance” (“The San Francisco Chronicle”). Tickets ($25 – $68) are on sale now and available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy).

“As the Auditorium Theatre approaches our 125th anniversary season, we are thrilled to celebrate both the past and present by welcoming back the Paul Taylor Dance Company to our historic stage as they too celebrate a special anniversary,” said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. “It is a pleasure to present the work of a living legend who not only creates beautiful, mesmerizing pieces, but whose work tackles the issues our society faces each and every day.”

Paul Taylor first presented his choreography with five other dancers in Manhattan on May 30, 1954. That modest performance marked the beginning of nearly 60 years of unrivaled creativity, and in the decades that followed, Taylor became a cultural icon as well as one of history’s most celebrated artists. Over those 60 years, Taylor has created 140 dances and at 83 he continues to craft new works bringing that founding artistic vision and creativity to his own company while introducing audiences to true modern dance. Now, one of the world’s most highly respected and sought-after ensembles, Paul Taylor Dance Company returns with their ever-burgeoning repertoire including “Black Tuesday,” “Mercuric Tidings” and “Sunset.”

“The Auditorium Theatre has always welcomed us with open arms and we are thrilled to be coming back to this historic venue after 30 years,” said PTDC Executive Director John Tomlinson. “The pieces that we will perform in Chicago represent both the past and present. As the Auditorium embarks on their 125th Anniversary Season, and as we celebrate 60 years, we feel that these particular pieces embody the spirit of celebrating such incredible milestones.”

PTDC Programming

“Black Tuesday”

While America was on the grip of the Great Depression, popular culture from Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood celebrated the nation’s can-do-spirit. In Paul Taylor’s “Black Tuesday,” the choreographer recalls the valiant souls of the ‘30s, from Vaudevillians to doughboys, showgirls to newsgirls. Set to various songs from the Depression including the great torch tune, “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and the enduring anthem, “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?,” the “Boston Globe” raves “‘Black Tuesday’ exemplifies what Taylor does best — allude to compelling mini-stories through lush, vivid movement.”

“Mercuric Tidings”

“Mercuric Tidings,”set to Franz Schubert’s first two symphonies, ishailed as “one of Mr. Taylor’s pure-dance works” (“The New York Times”). Stemming from Greek Mythology, the Greek messenger god Mercury brought information to both gods and men. The word “tidings” best translates as information that is brought to someone; therefore “Mercuric Tidings” refers to the messages being delivered by the god Mercury. “The New York Times” also states, “To suggest that Paul Taylor’s ‘Mercuric Tidings’ just sings is not quite right. It is a dance work that bursts seemingly into song…music and dance are so closely entwined here that they are one.”

“Sunset”

A poignant look at camaraderie among soldiers and the sweethearts they leave behind, “Sunset” marked Taylor “as one of the great war poets” (“The New York Times”). Set to the music of Elgar, “Mr. Taylor’s deeply moving meditation on war, on men with women, on men with men, on loss, on memory is one of the few great dance works of the past quarter-century…Delicately presented, achingly sad” (“New York Observer”).

Discounted tickets available to groups of 10 or more are available by calling (312) 341-2357.

Sponsorship

Performances of Paul Taylor are made possible through the generosity of Jay Franke and David Herro.

MetLife Foundation is the Official Tour Sponsor of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Major funding for the 2014 Season is provided by The SHS Foundation and the Board of Trustees and Friends of the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation. Support is also provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Funding is also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

About the Paul Taylor Dance Company

The world-renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company sets the global standard for contemporary dance excellence. Since the company’s founding in 1954, Taylor has choreographed 140 dances, many of which have attained iconic status and have been celebrated throughout the world. The Company has performed in more than 524 cities and 64 countries. Taylor continues to create at least two new works a year for his 16-member Company. His autobiography, “Private Domain,” was published in 1987 and the Company was the subject of the documentary film “Dancemaker,” nominated for an Academy Award in 1999. A book of essays called “Facts and Fancies” was written by Taylor in 2013. He has achieved countless accolades, including two of our nation’s highest artistic distinctions: the Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts.

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E Congress Pkwy, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community and educational programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the NIB Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council and the Palmer House Hilton. For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theatre tours, call (312) 341 – 2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

For a complete listing of all events at the Auditorium Theatre, please click here.